Tips for How to Heat Your Home Safely  

With temperatures plummeting into the teens it is important to exercise caution when heating your home. According to the National Fire Protection Association, “Home fires occur more in the winter than in any other season, and heating equipment is involved in one of every six reported home fires, and one in every five home fire deaths.” Starting a fire is not, however, the only risk involved in incorrectly heating your home. There are also risks of experiencing carbon monoxide poisoning.*

Don’t:  

1. Heat your home with your oven  
2. Use gasoline to start or maintain a fire in your home  
3. Use generators inside your home  
4. Plug heaters into extension cords  
5. Leave a fire burning in your fireplace when you go to sleep  

Do:  

1. Make sure your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms are working properly  
2. Keep flammable items away from any heat source (fireplace, space heater, etc.)  
3. Stay weather aware and prepare for frigid temperatures by collecting necessary supplies early
4. Be conscious of what you are burning in home fireplaces, and use a screen to prevent embers from jumping.

 *Sources: National Fire Protection Association Put a Freeze on Winter Fires Infographic. Free from NFPA. 

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Heating Fire Safety